Laurent Barbarin

French racing expert Laurent Barbarin picked out two winners, Fellow Mag 100-30 and Edylan 6-4 on Monday and has six selections for Tuesday's card from Chantilly - live on Sky Sports Racing - now online.

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Eight races are on the card at Chantilly today with all contests being run on the polytrack and this is still a good time of the year for province-trained horses to pick up some good prize money at the Parisian venue before all the big stables get going. A few runners ship a long way from their base and are definitely worth considering.

In the 10.55 NAMAR (4) is one of those who fall into this category. She produced an eye-catching effort in her last start at the venue over this C & D last month in a handicap. Trainer Norbert Leenders rarely ships to Paris without a chance and it is likely to see his filly being closely involved at the finish. She likes to sit off the pace and with a reduced number of runners this time around, she is unlikely to meet too much traffic and can get back in the winner’s enclosure.

Ten four years old line-up in the 11.55, a condition race run over 7.5f. A close third in a Group III back in September 2017, ZYZZYVA stands out on form and although he had only the one run in 2018, he could make a big splash in his first start for Chantilly-based trainer Gavin Hernon. However, I go the way of MASSINA (2), a good consistent filly who is proven on the surface and over this distance. Stéphane Wattel who trains at Deauville racecourse generally has his horses fit and ready when resuming. His inmate is as reliable as they come, and she is expected to give this a good account.

A full field of sixteen horses for the 12.25 claiming Stakes Prix de la Route de la Vallée. DJOKO and STREETS OF RIO will probably attract most of the support, but I’m intrigued by the seven years old mare LURAYAN (10). She is having her first start for trainer Benjamin Legros who ships a long way while his inmate would have had several easier entries in western France in the coming weeks. She failed to deliver in her last run at Pau but still was claimed that day by Benjamin Legros and I can’t see him, who enjoyed his best season ever last year with 32 winners, shipping all the way from Nort sur Erdre, near Nantes in the Loire Valley, without a good chance. Although she looks a kind of adventurous bet, I suggest to play it the safe way with an each-way bet as she will be around 12/1. In case she fails to fire this time, the mare is definitely one to follow in the short term.

In the 1.37, I have another provincial horse who ships from the Lyon area. Paris is obviously an easy access from Lyon but still a long way and you will not see too often trainers going all the way to Chantilly without hope of a big result. VERSALINE (13) has shown a nice rebound of form in her last two starts. She is not only on a career low mark but also benefits from a six pounds claims from the young talented female rider Marie Velon. VERSALINE has never won a race over two miles yet but she has demonstrated plenty of stamina. Bernard Goudot’s mare likes to sit and relax mid-division and this is exactly what should happen today jumping off from stall three.

Among the big names in the racing industry, the Head Family is certainly one who catches the attention. Christopher, who is Freddy Head’s son, is the fifth generation trainer in the family. He just had his first runner last December at Chantilly and recorded his first winner with NEAR GOLD (3) at Deauville on 5 January. The four years colt won easily that day but never gave the impression to dig hard to come on top of his rivals. His young trainer has decided to fit him with blinkers today in the 2.12 Prix de la Première Route Ronde and you can expect the son of Dansili to be more focused and this could be just enough to see him record a second consecutive success. He will be at a short price of 7/4 but looks like the headline horse of the day.

In the 2.47, the last race of the day, COSMIC CITY (1) makes a lot of appeal. He is from the on-form yard of Jean-Pierre Gauvin who enjoyed a great stint at Cagnes sur Mer so far, securing the Listed Grand Prix de la Riviera with Pump Pump Palace last Sunday. COSMIC CITY was unlucky in his last run on the Cote d’Azur and is taken to make amends today under regular partner Marie Velon who has an eight pounds claim for her boss. He is confirmed over the trip and surface and looks a serious player at 10/3.

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